Sharks, Hawks, and Sens in a 3-way

Sharks get: Mark Bell
Senators get: Tom Preissing, Josh Hennessy, Michal Barinka, 2nd-round pick (2008)
Blackhawks get: Martin Havlat, Brian Smolinski

This deal is a really rare with 3 teams involved in a rotational trade. Havlat has been shopped around for a while to anyone who would take his loaded contract. They found a friend in the Wirtz family with the deep pockets. It's amazing what they are doing out there in Chicago. Wirtz has been stingy over the years, but I guess they've opened up the coffers. Will the "Windy City" be able to actually see Havlat in a Hawks uniform on TV? That remains the biggest question. Smolinski is an aging centerman who is sure to teach the young Towes the ropes and maybe add some serious veteran leadership.

The Sharks get Mark Bell, a 6'4" winger/centerman, as someone they could use on a second line after the 1-2 punch of Marleau-Thorton. I wonder how Coach Wilson will use him on the power play. He's certain to fill up some space for toughness that the Sharks have lost over the years.

The Sens get cap space and a future to develop some of the ex-Sharks prospects. The draft pick in 08 is the key that turned everything in their favor, I think. They need to refresh their farm system and build on people who know how to win.

[Via: TSN.ca]